Find out how popular the first name Kathern has been for the last 33 years (from 1974 to 2006) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Kathern by gender

Based on the last 33 years of data, Kathern is exclusively a female name.

For the most recent data in 2006, there were 5 female babies and 0 male babies born with the name Kathern.

The history of the first name Kathern

The name Kathern is derived from the Greek name Aikaterine, which itself is believed to have originated from the Greek words "katharos" meaning "pure" and "heinai" meaning "to be." This suggests that the name Kathern was initially associated with purity or innocence. The name can be traced back to the late 4th century AD, when it was popularized by St. Catherine of Alexandria, a Christian martyr who lived in the 4th century.

Kathern was a relatively common name in medieval Europe, particularly in England and other parts of the British Isles. It was often spelled with variations such as Katherine, Catheryn, or Cathrine, reflecting the fluidity of spelling conventions during that period. The name gained further prominence in the Christian tradition due to its association with St. Catherine of Siena, a 14th-century mystic and philosopher.

One of the earliest recorded examples of the name Kathern can be found in the Domesday Book, a comprehensive survey of landholdings commissioned by William the Conqueror in 1086. The name appears in various spellings, including Cathrina and Katerina, suggesting its widespread use among the English nobility of the time.

Throughout history, several notable figures have borne the name Kathern or its variants. Catherine of Aragon (1485-1536), the first wife of King Henry VIII of England, was a powerful and influential figure in her own right. Kathern Swynford (1350-1403) was the mistress and later wife of John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster, playing an essential role in the legitimization of the Beaufort line of the Plantagenet dynasty.

Another notable Kathern was Catherine de' Medici (1519-1589), the Queen of France and a powerful political figure during the French Renaissance. She played a pivotal role in the religious wars that plagued France during her reign. Kathern Parr (1512-1548), the sixth wife of King Henry VIII, was a prominent figure in the English Reformation and a influential patron of the arts and education.

In the realm of literature, Kathern Mansfield (1888-1923) was a pioneering modernist writer known for her innovative short stories. Her works explored themes of identity, relationships, and the complexities of modern life, earning her a significant place in the literary canon of the 20th century.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Kathern was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Kathern, please contact us.

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